bristlr blog

Let’s not pretend we haven’t all seen posts on social media about beards, THEY’RE EVERYWHERE! And some of them aren’t too friendly. I’m not saying we need wrapping in cotton wool, or big bushy beards. But as individuals we can do something to make the world a better place to live in…and be less horrible on social media.

Okay, so lets talk Beard Elitism – it sucks. So much.

Do you remember when you first started growing a beard? When you fell in love with the hair growing out of your face? It was great, right? Then the trend on social media set in (which we at Bristlr have a lot to thank for, really).

Some of you will have stuck to your guns, you had a beard and you loved it. Some of you decided to back out and get rid of the beard, because trends can be a pain to keep up with, which is entirely your prerogative. But then there was heat from both sides for some of the more folicly challenged, and it was kind of unfair.

First, lets look in to the things that affect beard growth.

Genetics! Literally beyond anyone’s control. So what if someone can’t grow a beard because of their genes? Maybe they didn’t want one in the first place. Leave ’em be. “Supplements,” you say? Yeah, have fun with those side effects…

Stress! A good diet and plenty of sleep help out a lot with beard growth. So when someone’s particularly stressed and struggling to do either of those things, it’s going to have an effect on their beard. You’re going to kick someone when they’re down by berating the beard that in your eyes isn’t good enough? Feel good about yourself? You shouldn’t.

Exercise! Some of us are just too damn busy, and hitting the gym after a long day at work isn’t always top of the priority list. So cut us some slack and take your opinions elsewhere.

Those are just three things, and they’re all sort of beyond control. Notice how I put genetics top of the list though? No one can control that, not even you, with your opinions.

It might seem like I’m getting a little irritable, right? Here’s the thing – I’m fairly lucky. Despite being plagued with mental health issues (things just got personal up in here), having very little time to exercise and, let’s be honest, a terrible diet, I’m somehow blessed with (what many would consider) a “pretty good” beard. Genetics. Despite that, every now and then someone will happily point out that my beard’s looking whispy, a bit thin or a little patchy.

First off, thanks, that makes me feel great. Second, why did you have to say anything anyway? Third, remember that bit about mental health issues and kicking someone when they’re down? Yeah. You just did all that. And I didn’t even ask for an opinion. Go you.

You can say I’m taking this a little too seriously, but let’s be honest if you’re going out of your way to upset people, you need to have a word with yourself.

It’s not just beards either – all over social media people are commenting on all aspects of other peoples’ bodies. Like it’s their right to tell someone else how they should look. It isn’t.

We’re all about the beards here at Bristlr. So we do what we do to keep the beard community happy, whatever the shape, size and thickness of their beards. But that doesn’t mean we don’t care about everyone else! So, we say; Beard Elitism #DontDoIt. But lets lay off on judging people for their bodies and they way they present themselves. Whether you have a big, bushy beard, or a little bit of bristle, you do you, and let others’ do the same.